Robbo fully focussed on Carlisle game after impressive Blackburn victory

Published:08:11Wednesday 29 August 2012

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HE wasn’t getting too carried away, but Karl Robinson was pleased to see off Blackburn Rovers in comfortable style on Tuesday night.

Dons probably didn’t expect that booking their place in the third round of the League Cup would be as easy as the 2-1 victory turned out to be, but all eyes were immediately focussed on Saturday’s home game against Carlisle United as they look to get their League 1 campaign back on track after a shaky start.

Luke Chadwick struck two second half goals to see Dons into Wednesday’s draw, before David Goodwillie netted with eight minutes to go – nothing more than a consolation for Blackburn, who failed to impress.

“It was comfortable,” said Robinson. “It was a tremendous, professional performance. And now we can move on from here with tremendous mental strength and belief in ourselves.

“I thought in the first five minutes they started OK, but as soon as our midfield partnership got working, they couldn’t touch us.

“It’s was great to have those two back together. It makes me a lot happier to have Stephen Gleeson and Darren Potter on the pitch together.

“We looked good, but I don’t want to go over the top, and we need to move on. I thought we had three good chances in the first half, but I thought Jon Otsemobor was great.

“He needs to pace himself because he’s not fully fit yet. He went up a few gears in the second half too, showing everyone what sort of right-back we’ve signed – a very attacking one!

“I’m fuming with the goal, but I thought it was nice to concede because it showed how we can respond. They didn’t have a chance afterwards because we defended well, we were resolute and we looked the better team afterwards as well.

“I’m just happy to see off this very good Blackburn side.”

Chadwick has made a habit of starting seasons well, netting all of his goals last season in the first two months of the campaign last year.

Robinson joked: “I just need to get him scoring in September, October and November! The fact that he was in the right place at the right time shows he’s a good footballer.”

But Dons’ attention now quickly turns to Saturday’s game against Carlisle, and a return to winning ways is on the agenda after two games on the road brought just a single point.

Robinson said: “It’s vital, it’s a league game and it’s ultimately what we’ll be judged on. We want to be respectful to this competition, but we are concentrating on the league.

“I don’t care who we get in the next round, I’m just focussed on Carlisle, and then Northampton after that.”